What matters for coordination? Examining overlaps and interactions in Lake Victoria's polycentric fisheries in Tanzania

Authority, information, and resources are critical for fostering interactions among overlapping decision centers in polycentric systems, yet little is known about how they might enable decision centers across multiple governance levels to coordinate resource management. Based on the theoretical underpinnings of polycentric governance and the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, this paper examines the conditions under which authority, information, and resources might foster and/or hinder interactions among overlapping decision centers at the constitutional, collective, and operational-choice levels in Tanzania's polycentric fisheries in Lake Victoria. Through qualitative research, findings indicate that although constitutional-choice rules might create overlaps among decision centers to generate an interdependence between issues, activities, and jurisdictions, it may not necessarily translate to cooperation at the collective and operational-choice levels. Despite overlaps, opposing agendas; lack of clarity over authority; perception of a threat to authority; distrust; and intentionally withholding information and resources can not only create conflicts among decision centers at the collective and operational-choice levels but can also contribute to dysfunctionality in a polycentric system. These findings advance knowledge on the conditions that foster and/or hinder interactions among overlapping decision centers for coordinating resource management and provide practical insight for improving the performance of polycentric systems.

Automated summary

This paper examines the conditions under which authority, information, and resources foster or hinder interactions among overlapping decision centers in polycentric systems. The findings suggest that despite overlaps, factors such as opposing agendas, lack of clarity over authority, perception of a threat to authority, distrust, and intentionally withholding information and resources can lead to conflicts and dysfunctionality.